In Cameroon, a disturbing trend of violence against women has been on the rise. From sex crimes and ritual killings to political victimization and banditry, women are being targeted in ways that violate their human rights. The numbers are alarming, with at least 50 women killed in just three months, mostly by their intimate partners. The ongoing armed conflict in parts of the country has also added to the problem. But women across Cameroon are refusing to stay silent. Through their resilience and determination, they are rising up to tackle the problem head-on.
The recent wave of violence in Cameroon has left many families devastated, with heartbreaking stories of loss and grief. One woman, tears streaming down her face, shared her experience with The Post. "My niece left for school yesterday, but we didn't see her again. We tried calling her, but there was no answer. This morning, we received the devastating news that her remains had been found at Sappeur Pompier Mimboman," she said. Her story is just one of many, as families throughout the country continue to grapple with the impact of the violence. The toll on communities is immense, with many struggling to come to terms with the loss of loved ones and the trauma of living in a state of constant fear.
The trauma of armed conflicts in Cameroon's Anglophone regions has left many young survivors struggling to cope with the aftermath. At The Fomunyoh Foundation (TFF) in Yaounde, some of these survivors have found a safe haven to heal and rebuild their lives. Many of the girls who fled the conflict did not survive the violence, falling victim to rape, beatings, and shootings. For those who managed to escape, the trauma is deep and long-lasting. "Maybe the same thing would have happened to me if I did not run," one survivor shared. At TFF, Dr. Elisabeth Tamajong and her team are working to provide the survivors with life skills and income-generating activities that can help them rebuild their lives and find a sense of purpose. Through rehabilitation and resettlement programs, TFF is giving internally displaced women the support they need to overcome their trauma and create a brighter future for themselves and their families.
Women leaders are fighting back in an innovative way, taking to social media with the hashtag #StopFemicide237 in Cameroon to denounce the killings and call for sanctions. They have also petitioned President Paul Biya for urgent action. Former presidential candidate, Edith Kah Walla, is one of the vocal women in the frontline of women’s protection, saying, “We already have social workers, we already have police, we already have medical services where we can create units that undergo training enabling them to address the questions of violence against women and provide those specific services. So our request to the government is that the government address this immediately, and that they take the measures to address what looks like a really growing phenomenon in Cameroon of women being murdered.”
The impact of the armed conflict in Cameroon is devastating, particularly for women and girls who are often the most vulnerable. Bibiana Mih, a humanitarian worker, has witnessed firsthand the brutalization of women's bodies during the conflict. "It's not just the killings. It is not just the guns. The war that is fought on the bodies of women is a nightmare and a wound that will never heal," she says. Mih and others are working tirelessly to decry the violence against women and advocate for their rights.
The number of gender-based violence victims in the conflict continues to rise, leading women's empowerment campaigner Mrs. Adah Mbah to call for the creation of psychosocial centers to support those affected, especially adolescent girls. The trauma of violence leaves a deep scar that requires specialized care and attention.
The emergence of a video depicting soldiers torturing a woman in degrading ways has left many, including Barrister Akere Muna, bewildered and outraged. "How on earth can Cameroonians treat others like that? It's purely and simply barbarism," he says. Muna is calling on the government to take immediate action and bring those responsible to justice. Without accountability, such behavior will continue, and the violence against women will persist.
In Cameroon, victims of gender-based violence sometimes seek justice through the legal system. However, the road to justice can be challenging for women in a country with no specific laws on gender-based violence. According to Barrister Mbuya Gladys, president of the International Federation of Female Lawyers, women are frequently reporting cases of battery and assault. Offences like rape, incest, sexual harassment, and torture are regularly featured in court during criminal sessions. Unfortunately, trivialization of these cases often occurs, particularly with sexual harassment. Barrister Gladys has witnessed cases where women bring tangible proof of rape, yet the police would let the suspected rapists go free. She emphasizes that this is not acceptable.
Anthropologist Dr Kalla cites the patriarchal nature of society as a reason for the rising attacks on women’s lives. She says, “Men exercise violence over women simply because they can do so. They have the power to speak. Out of jealousy, frustration, and anger, they may resort to violence once their entitlement to women's bodies and labor is challenged.” To combat violence against women, economic empowerment is crucial, as an economically empowered woman is less vulnerable to predatory men. Also, enforcing the law, be it customary society or national, is paramount.
While the number of victims of gender-based violence continues to increase each day, women’s empowerment campaigner, Mrs. Adah Mbah, says, “there is a need for psychosocial centers to be created because everyone is affected in one way or the other, and most especially adolescent girls.” Sensitizing the public, especially vulnerable persons, is vital, and many young people are ignorant. Some NGOs have taken the challenge to spread knowledge and visit schools to sensitize children under 18 years of age.
The Minister of Women’s Affairs and the Family, Prof. Marie Therese Ondoa, is strongly against all forms of gender-based violence and threats to women’s lives. She has been advocating for good child upbringing in communities to prevent the next generation of abusers. She stated that one of the major preoccupations of her ministry is sensitization of women and girls to create awareness among the target population to know their fundamental rights. “I must admit that many women are becoming more and more aware of those rights, and it is extremely important for them to speak out and denounce these atrocities each time they are committed.”
Women in Cameroon are not only speaking out but also taking action to end gender-based violence. Their resilience and determination in the face of violence is inspiring and deserving of recognition. It is time for the government and society as a whole to take urgent action to end the violence against women and ensure that justice is served for the victims and their families. As Barrister Mbuya Gladys, president of the International Federation of Female Lawyers, says, “We need to increase the punishment” for perpetrators of gender-based violence. Let us all join forces to create a safe and equal society for women in Cameroon and beyond.
By Sa'ah Siona Ikei
Also published in The Post newspaper & The Voice newspaper
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